Starting XI: Are the LA Galaxy road warriors? Will Sporting KC take vengeance in Houston?

11) How will Bakary Soumaré – likely to make his first start of the year for the Union – fare on his return to Chicago?

The big center back made his name in the Windy City, owns a home there and plans to retire there. Yet he wound up in Philly when he made his return to MLS last year, only to find himself chained to the Union bench (and duly requesting a trade) this season. Now Jeff Parke's hamstring injury has him in line for his 2013 debut against his old team at Toyota Park, an important match for both clubs (1:30 pm ET, NBCSN).

10) Along a similar theme, what is Edson Buddle capable of in Columbus?

8) Will San Jose and Seattle resist the urge to scrap on Saturday, and play some soccer instead?

Their rivalry can be traced all the way back to the NASL heyday of the 1970s, and these two teams have gotten fairly “old-school” in some pugnacious meetings over the past year or two. The Earthquakes own a four-game regular-season winning streak on the Sounders, who will be keen to garner their first home league win of 2013 when San Jose enter CenturyLink Field (4 pm ET, Univision Deportes).

7) How will the Galaxy kick off their week-long, cross-continent, three-game road trip?

It's been eight matches and two months since the North Texans tasted defeat, something that's only happened once all year. Few expect that streak to end this weekend as slumping D.C. United enter FC Dallas Stadium (8:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE), but upcoming clashes with Seattle and San Jose will further test FCD's championship credentials.

3) How good – and how long – can the Juan Agudelo era be in New England?

Chelís' loss is Jay Heaps' gain this week, though questions still swirl around the talented young US international as he finds himself on the third destination of his relatively brief MLS career. Can he settle in with the Revolution – and perhaps even sign a new contract – or will his wanderlust grow stronger as European dreams persist?

By now it's a tired old tale for SKC fans: Their team's promising playoff prospects have been cut short for two years running by the canny Dynamo. That and coach Peter Vermes' famous intensity should be all the motivation Sporting need as they seek to end the Orange's league-record unbeaten streak at BBVA Compass Stadium on Sunday night (8 pm ET, MLS LIVE).